Nurses spend days caring for others, but who cares for them? Studies show that nurses experience high rates of burnout, depression and anxiety as compared to the general population because of the nature of their job. No doubt nursing is a rewarding career, but it is also very demanding. Nursing includes long shifts, emotional stress, and workload, which can affect the mental health of nurses. This blog is the ultimate guide to nurse therapy and mental health resources specifically designed for nurses. Remember! Asking for help is not a weakness; it is self-care that makes you stronger and best at what you do.
Mental health resources for nurses
American Nurses Association (ANA) Well-Being Initiative (Well-Being Initiative Curriculum | Nurse Mental Health & Resilience Resources)
ANA well-being initiative was created to support health and resilience for nurses. It provides free resources that are especially tailored for nurses. This includes the following:
- Guided meditation practices to reduce stress and help nurses focus during shifts.
- Stress reduction techniques, such as breathing exercises.
- Peer-support communities that help nurses connect.
- Webinars and educational tools that teach nurses different coping strategies.
Nurse Suicide Prevention & Resilience Resources
Unfortunately, rates of burnout and suicide are higher in nurses than general population and therefore, many programs provide support and early intervention. These resources create a safety net for nurses.
Healer Education Assessment and Referral (HEAR) Program: Healer Education Assessment & Referral Program
This program is designed for nurses who are at risk of depression or suicidal thoughts and emphasizes early detection and prevention. Nurses can receive personalized guidance that helps them protect their mental health and career.
Nurse Suicide Prevention (AFSP + ANA Collaboration): Preventing Nurse Suicide and Increasing Resilience | ANA
This program also helps nurses to connect with professionals who help and guide them by offering confidential support, resources and educational tools.
Peer support programs
Sometimes you find the best support by talking to someone who truly understands you. These programs provide a nonjudgmental place to share their experiences.
PeerRxMed: Many healthcare facilities also offer peer monitoring groups where nurses can talk openly about the challenges of their workplace and their personal struggles.
Immediate support: 24/7 Crisis Hotline
Sometimes nurses also need urgent support and for that there are free 24/7 confidential hotlines available to provide guidance.
- 998 suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Calling or texting 998 connects nurses to trained counselors immediately.
- Crisis Text Line: Those nurses who are comfortable typing and not talking can text HELLO to 741741and can get help from trained counselors.
- Nurse Support Line (ANA): This is offered by ANA to provide emotional support and guidance to nurses.
Self-care Apps:
Technology is helping nurses to access mental health support from anywhere and at any time. There are several apps that help nurses and healthcare workers such as:
- Headspace: Offers meditation programs to reduce stress and increase focus among nurses. Mental Health App for Meditation & Sleep – Headspace
- Calm: Provides breathing exercises, sleep support with features like gentle music and sleep stories. Calm – The #1 App for Meditation and Sleep
- Moodfit: This app tracks nurses and healthcare workers sleep, mood, energy etc and also offers personalized fitness exercise. Moodfit | Tools & Insights for Your Mental Health
- Talkspace/ Better Help: These offer affordable online therapy for nurses.
EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs):
May hospitals and healthcare facilities also offer employee assistance programs for nurses that offers free counseling and stress management.
Professional Counselling and Therapy:
The most effective way for nurses to address burnout and trauma is to get professional help. Nurses can get therapy from the following sources.
- Psychology Today (Virtual Mental Health Treatment | Treat Mental Health Texas)
- Therapy Den Find A Therapist Nearby, Compassionate In-Person and Online Therapy
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) About NAMI | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Supportive communities and forums:
Online communities and platforms also provide support and guidance to nurses. Some of the popular online platforms for nurses are:
- Reddit r/nursing
- Facebook Nurse Support Groups
- All Nurses forums
Importance of nurses’ mental health
Nursing is a rewarding career, but it also has some challenges. Long shifts, high-pressure environments, and emotionally intense situations can be very stressful for nurses. Therefore, it is important to support nurses’ mental well-being so they can focus on patient care. Some of the reasons why nurses’ mental health matters are as follows:
- Patient care and safety
- Job satisfaction
- Physical wellbeing.
- Emotional resilience
- Positive work culture
How much experience do you need to become a travel nurse?
You need at least 1-to-2-year experience before applying for travel nursing jobs.
What types of therapy are most effective for nurses experiencing burnout?
Some of the most effective nurse therapies for burnout are as follows:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Therapy
- Group Therapy / Peer Support Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Conclusion
Nurses’ mental health is essential not only for their own well-being but also for the patients they provide care for. Nurses are the backbone of healthcare. Long hours, stressful and emotional situations can cause mental stress and therefore, the right mental health resources are very important for nurses because this benefits both nurses and the patients. Nurses can get help from professional counselling and therapy. They can also use online platforms, peer support programs, different apps designed for nurses’ well-being, EAPs provided by hospitals, etc. Remember, asking for help is self-care and makes nurses stronger!
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